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Air Film Technology
What Is Air Film Technology?
Air Film Technology is a relatively new concept developed in
Great Britain back in the 1950s which resulted in the appearance of
the Hovercraft.
Here is the fundamental concept behind air film technology.
It is the art of forcing a load away from the floor surface
harnessing the power of compressed air under control.
Here is the air film process on more detail.
Air Film is produced when a constant amount of compressed air is
distributed through a tightly-sealed component - such as an air
caster module - until it reaches what is known as an air bearing.
When the air fills the air bearing and filled the polyurethane
diaphragm of the air bearing it has nowhere else to go except to try
and exit through the exhaust holes of the air bearing.
These exhaust holes lead the compressed air directly to the floor
surface on which you are working. When the exhausted air hits the
floor surface it is instantly repelled by the floor and sent back to
where it came from. However, the exhaust chambers are now full of
incoming compressed air and therefore cannot go back.
The only place for the exhausting air to go is upwards into the
diaphragm. When the diaphragm of the air bearing cannot accept any
more incoming air the air simply forces the air bearing to raise
away from the floor surface - such is the force of the air pushing
against it. When this happens a "film of air" has been generated
between the load the air bearings are supporting and the floor
surface.
This film of air is used to easily transport (float) the load to
wherever it need to be.
Here is a typical air caster module with fitted air bearing. You can
see in the center of the black polyurethane diaphragm the four
exhaust holes that release the incoming compressed air.
Here are two examples of air caster modules: a round steel module
and a square aluminum module. The process is the same whichever load
module is used. The types of module - square or round - is to
determine the type of load which will be placed onto the air caster
modules.
When an air caster load module is manufactured, it is formed into a
load moving kit system by adding more modules to form a complete
system kit complete with all air hoses, valves and other components
required to set up the system right out of the box. The only thing
you have to supply is the compressed.
Here is a completed square aluminum four-station kit system all
ready to go and to the right is a low profile air caster kit system
laid out in a typical square profile setup.
Did you know that an air bearing and caster machine moving system will make your load
moving so much
easier, and way more cost effective?
Hovair Systems air bearing powered systems are
designed to lift and move heavy loads and machines that are too heavy
for conventional methods such as forklift trucks, overhead gantry and
crane methods.
Air powered (pneumatic) load moving systems work in a
series of four or more and lift your load away from the floor much the
same as a Hovercraft. Our products use the same principle: air film
technology.
Using our wide range of products you can now
move loads and machines of any shape, size or weight using just a little of the
regular compressed air in your shop. These systems are so easy to use. Anyone can use them: guys, gals, even the boss.
We have a great range of starter kits available
complete with all hoses and necessary fittings. When your load capacities
grow, simply add a couple more modules to take the strain and it is
business as usual.
You can move loads of up to 100 tons and more with
virtually no effort at all.
Move your loads into places that a forklift truck or
overhead crane just cannot get to. There is no limit to the tight spaces
you can maneuver into.
Check out our
main web site and look
for the demo videos which will show you just how easy these systems are
to use.
We would love to hear about your load moving need so
why not contact us to chat about those needs and whether or not we can
help you. No obligation whatsoever.
Contact Us.
Hovair Systems of Seattle are one of the leading
air bearing manufacturers, and have over 40 years experience in providing
load moving solutions to industry in USA, Canada and the rest of the
world.
Here are some of the benefits to using a Hovair
Systems air bearing and caster load moving system:
- Affordable, safe, and
cost-effective
- Uses only compressed
air in your shop - no messy fuels or nightly charging
- Can be permanently
fixed to heavy machinery for quick and easy machine moving
- Available in
lightweight aluminum or round steel formats
- Height profiles as low
as 1¼" - modules easily slide under most loads
- Terrific backup and
support service by Hovair Systems management
These great systems are in
use all across the world and are making life so much easier for their
owners. Ask Boeing, Hewlett Packard, Pilkington, Lockheed Martin - all
companies that use them daily.
Here are some links to our air powered load moving and machine handling
products:
Hovair Home Page
Hovair Products
Everything you need to know about air bearings & casters
Contact Us
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